Highlands weather in December
Are you planning a trip to Highlands in December and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.
What is the weather like in Highlands in December?
Highlands is a region in the United Kingdom. December in Highlands generally has cold temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. In December, it is winter.
The average maximum temperatures are cold and range from 5°C in Kingussie to 10°C in Dunvegan. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 6°C in Dunvegan and -1°C in Kingussie. On average, December is the coldest month of the year in Highlands. So be prepared and make sure to pack winter cloths.
In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Balintore with an average of 71 mm to heavy rainfall in Arisaig with 262 mm. Most areas see fewer sunny days, with a projection of about 27 hours of sunshine in Inverness. This reduced sunlight makes it ideal for those who prefer dimmer, overcast conditions over bright sunny days.
For a closer look at December's conditions in Highlands, see the map below. For a more detailed look at Highlands's yearly weather, check out our Highlands climate page.
Where to go in Highlands in December
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Popular destinations in Highlands
What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in Highlands?
Average weather in Inverness
In December Inverness generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 7°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 1°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Fort William
In December Fort William generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 6°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 1°C and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Aviemore
In December Aviemore generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 5°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Fort Augustus
In December Fort Augustus generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 6°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 0°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Nairn
In December Nairn generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Highlands, in the United Kingdom.
Is December the best time to visit Highlands?
Given the typically poor weather conditions in Inverness, December may not be the ideal time to visit Highlands.
Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in July and August offering mostly pleasant weather in Inverness. On the other hand, the weather in January, February, March, November and December tend to be poor.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Highlands.
Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to the United Kingdom? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in the United Kingdom.
Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.